STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Interest in Tarleton State University has risen to an all-time high, with applications among first-time freshman surpassing 21,000 for fall 2025, shattering the previous record and marking an 80% increase over two years ago.
The application total is more than double the count for fall 2021.
“Our unprecedented growth has been defined by record enrollment, new market-responsive academic programs and strategic expansion of our physical footprint,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “Our Division of Enrollment Management has done an incredible job sharing our story of access, opportunity and affordability. They deserve significant credit for our rise as one of the fastest-growing universities nationally and No. 1 in Texas.”
At Tarleton State’s Fort Worth campus, the university anticipates freshman applications to approach nearly 3,000 in just its first full application cycle for that campus.
Beginning this past fall, Tarleton State Fort Worth had more than 200 Crowley and North Crowley high school students start to earn university credit on campus before they graduate through Tarleton Today, a program that helps high schoolers accelerate their college preparation. Students receive instruction in classrooms on the Fort Worth campus with Crowley ISD teachers who are credentialed as courtesy instructors for Tarleton State. The students receive both college credit and high school credit from a single course.
Participation in the partnership with Crowley ISD is expected to nearly double in fall 2025.
According to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board data, first-time freshman enrollment at Texas public universities has increased 14% from 2021 to 2024. During the same time frame, Tarleton State has seen a 39% increase.
After introducing the largest freshman class in university history last fall, Tarleton State’s Class of 2029 projections indicate another spike on the way. The university’s total enrollment for fall 2024 was a record of nearly 18,000.
Connections with school districts throughout the state have played a key role in the ascent.
Tarleton State’s Distinguished High School Partners program provides a bridge to accessing higher education and has grown to include over 150 Independent School Districts in Texas. Seniors in these districts earn automatic admission to Tarleton if they are in the top 50% of their graduating class. Additionally, the university waives application fees for students who qualify.
With a commitment to affordability, Tarleton State also offers multiple scholarships that are making a difference. The President’s Guaranteed Scholarship program is available to students graduating in the top 50% of their graduating class. The Tarleton Promise, now available at both the university’s Stephenville and Fort Worth campuses, allows eligible students to qualify for awards to ensure no out-of-pocket cost obligation for tuition, fees, meals or books.
To learn how to become a Tarleton State Texan, visit www.tarleton.edu/becomeatexan. For information on the Tarleton Promise and Texan Orientation, visit www.tarleton.edu/becomeatexan/tarleton-promise/ and www.tarleton.edu/newstudent/texan-orientation/.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.